GPMS Urges Education Ministry To Safeguard STPM Pathway

KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Bernama) -- The Federation of Peninsular Malay Students (GPMS) Alumni has urged the Ministry of Education (MOE) to continue safeguarding the relevance of the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) as a vital pathway for furthering studies in local and international institutions of higher learning.

In this regard, the group rejected any move, opinion, or proposal to abolish STPM, stressing that the examination system had proven to be of high quality, transparent, and widely recognised at both national and international levels.

“MOE must safeguard the continuity and integrity of STPM to ensure future generations continue to have access to quality education, on par with international pre-university systems,” the group said in a statement.

This was among the resolutions passed at the third meeting of the National GPMS Alumni Supreme Council held in the capital yesterday.

Meanwhile, the meeting also proposed that pre-university programmes at public institutions of higher learning (IPTAs) be expanded to IPTAs in the East Coast and Southern region of the Peninsular, or implemented through the concept of “One IPTA, One Pre-University” in each state.

“The National GPMS Alumni believes this move will provide more opportunities and access for SPM school-leavers to pursue pre-university studies, thereby ensuring balanced access to quality education nationwide,” the statement read.

Additionally, the group appealed to the MOE and the Public Service Department (JPA) to reconsider the current age limit policy for the appointment of the Education director-general (KPPM) as well as State Education directors, suggesting that these appointments be made at least three years before mandatory retirement or before the officers are reassigned.

“This is to ensure strong leadership continuity and avoid the perception that such appointments are merely ‘retirement rewards’ for senior officers,” the statement added.

The meeting also agreed to urge the MOE to expedite the filling of several key vacancies, including the Rector of the Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia (IPGM), and the directors of Education for the Federal Territory of Labuan, Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, and Terengganu.

“This is to prevent any ‘power vacuum’ that could affect governance efficiency at the state and institutional levels,” the statement said.

The National GPMS Alumni also requested a detailed explanation from the MOE regarding Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s announcement on the automatic admission of SPM students who scored straight As into matriculation centres.

-- BERNAMA